Camping in Kanatal in the lap of Himalayas
I had never travelled alone in my life. During college time it had always been with my friends and after my marriage (when I really started exploring) it has always been with my better half. However travelling makes you open minded like never before and you learn to say Never say Never! So when I got the opportunity to go for camping with a bunch of strangers in the lap of Himalayas, I could not say No! Who can deny the Himalayas? Not me at least!
We were a group of eleven people (read ardent explorers) arranged by Just Wravel. We met in front of Haldiram's at Akshardham Metro station and left for Kanatal in an overnight bus, arranged by Savaari Car Rental in Delhi. We were a pot pourrie of really interesting people, Manu and Nishant from Just Wravel, Manoj or Tally as he is better known, a vlogger from Mumbai, Gokul a CA student who was representing his sister and brother in law, Mohini an Yoga expert, Yogita a law student, Ankit and advertising expert, Amit a social influencer, Akansha a techie and Mehak a fashion blogger. The only thing common amongst all of us was that we all were bloggers and loved to travel!
We reached there at 10 in the morning...after a journey of about 11 hours. There had been a prior break at Modinagar at midnight for tea, toast and paneer pakoda to be followed by a morning tea break near Manglore. As soon as we had stepped out, we were taken aback by the sudden chill outside. We ran back to the bus to cover ourselves.
Kanatal is situated 75 kms from Dehradun in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Our stay was arranged at the Kanatal Orchids, a group of well maintained camps with attached bathrooms. We were greeted by Rana ji and he made us feel absolutely at home.
We were given a welcome drink as soon as we arrived (it was hibiscus I guess) and were quickly escorted to our respective camps. My roommate was Amit. Our tent had 3 beds. It was nothing fancy but warm and comfortable. After freshening up, we had breakfast to our heart's content. I served myself a generous helping of puri sabji and Maggi.
Then it was time for real excitement: Adventure sports! For ziplining, we had to skywalk to that point. I had ziplined multiple times prior but never skywalked. But I am not afraid of heights so it was not an issue. I slowly started treading on the wobbly ropeway. At some points there was overlapping of the rope and that was tricky. After a lot of sweat and struggle, I reached the end point. The reward? I swished my way through the zipline. The irony is that what took so long to walk was conquered within 20 seconds! I was the first to do and later on my mates joined one by one.
After adventure sports, it was time for lunch. We all were famished from all the hoopla and dove into the buffet. Then it was time for a hike to the most religious spot of the area..Surkanda Devi Temple.
If you have explored Himalayas even for a bit then you must be familiar with the fact that our Hindu Gods and Goddesses have a special affinity for residing on the peaks. This was no exception. This temple is a Shakti Peeth and it means that Goddess Surkanda is a form of Sati or Goddess Durga. Since her head fell at this particular spot, it became known as 'Sir khanda' which later evolved into Surkanda.
The hike was rather tough and steep. Our bodies were already tired from the week long slogging as well as the bus journey. But unravelling new places infuses a new burst of energy. Some of my teammates wanted to give up. But ultimately everyone made it to the top. The view from there was surreal. That 1.5 km hike was worth every drop of sweat. It was pitch dark by the time we started stepping down. Downhill hikes are always easier (as the tough part is already conquered) and this was particularly a cakewalk as there were steps. We all were dead tired but seeing the star lit sky made us forget all our exhaustion. We Delhiites have almost forgotten how the sky looks at night!
It was bone freezing chilly but we lit up a bonfire and warmed ourselves up with hot topics. We also played a round of Uno. I came second :D After a hearty dinner, it took no time to fall asleep.
The night was very chilly. The moment I would turn on either side, the quilt on my back would freeze and so would I! In the morning I and my roommate continued chatting from under the blanket. On being reckoned from outside several times, we packed ourselves up in layers of woolens and reluctantly stepped outside to be greeted by the sun.
The morning sun was shining with its full glory. We stripped off the upper layers and soaked in the fresh, chilly air with a hot cup of tea. Then it was time for Yoga. Zen mountain gear was sweet enough to provide us Yoga mats. My body was stiff from all the journey and the Durga Puja hangover a week before. I felt a lot better after a bit of warming and stretching. In fact we all started sweating under the mighty Himalayan sun and it impossible to imagine how cold it was last night!
After a hearty breakfast, it was time to bid goodbye to the fresh air, nature and hills. We piled up into our Traveller and after a long journey, reached Delhi. We started off as a bunch of strangers two days back and returned as friends. That is the beauty of travelling!
31 comments
Love.
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun this adventure.
ReplyDeleteI was reading it and I was already feeling cold. What was the temperature there?
ReplyDeleteLoved reading the blog, honestly saying I was completely unaware of this spot, thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow this view looks stunning!! What a trip that was!
ReplyDeleteXO, Jessi
https://jmalay.com/nursery-reveal/
Wow Looks like you people had an amazing time ! I love camping tooo
ReplyDeleteCamping is not for everyone. In needs to be very open to exploring what this world offers in raw. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteLoved the blog...I am sure you have a great time!
ReplyDeleteHope you had fantastic time spend over there. The pictures reveals the scenario perfectly. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIf you're curious about the financial side of fame, you're in the right place. Our website is dedicated to providing accurate and comprehensive celebrity net worth profiles. Prepare to be captivated by the incredible fortunes and financial journeys of the most influential personalities in the world.
ReplyDeleteCamping in Kanatal offers a breathtaking experience nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. Surrounded by lush forests and panoramic mountain views, it's a serene escape from the hustle of city life. The tranquil ambiance and crisp mountain air make it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. 2MD-https://www.mapmydestination.com/
ReplyDeleteNice informative article and keep up the good work...... Luxury Tempo Traveller in Kochi, Kerala Tempo Traveller, Urbania Rentals
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis is the page that impressed me the most that I have visited, the beautiful description and the page is made in a way that is useful to benefit others without being stingy.
Really beautiful page others will look at you with envy so beautiful is this page and its description. Thank you for sharing your knowledge for others.
Time spent on this page is never wasted. Very nice presentation, very nice pictures. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us
Cab in Kerala taxi service
Superb guide you covered almost everything a traveler should look into. I’ve been thinking lately that I would love to visit
ReplyDeleteI am glad to read your blog about your Experience it’s very interesting thanks.
Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions truly bring the city to life, making me feel like I’m right there with you on this incredible journey. Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for fellow adventurers looking to explore the magic of.
Keep sharing your stories and insights – they’re a delight to read!
The best regards from Cab in Kerala
This is the page that impressed me the most that I have visited, the beautiful description and the page is made in a way that is useful to benefit others without being stingy.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful page others will look at you with envy so beautiful is this page and its description. Thank you for sharing your knowledge for others.
Time spent on this page is never wasted. Very nice presentation, very nice pictures. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Camping in Kanatal sounds like a perfect escape for nature lovers. The way you described the crisp mountain air, starlit skies, and peaceful vibes really transported me there. It’s incredible how places like Kanatal offer such raw serenity, yet remain relatively untouched.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re into Himalayan adventures, you might also enjoy exploring the Northeast — it’s full of hidden trails, lush valleys, and vibrant local cultures. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list!
What a refreshing read!
ReplyDeleteCamping in Kanatal sounds like the perfect escape into nature. The way you described the peaceful surroundings and starry skies really paints a picture. It reminds me of similar serene experiences in the Northeast.
If you're looking to explore more hidden Himalayan gems, check out this travel page: https://fullontravel.com – it has great options for Northeast adventures and beyond!
Thanks for sharing this inspiring post!
At Parackal Travels, we specialize in providing reliable and affordable Force Urbania rental services in Kochi and Ernakulam. Whether you planning a family trip, group tour, corporate outing, or event transportation, our 16-seater and 17-seater Urbania vans offer the perfect blend of comfort, safety, and convenience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this experience. I especially liked your thoughts on the yoga session amid the hills — seems like a perfect way to refresh after a cold night in the tents.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece. Thanks for post. https://highrouteadventure.com/trip/kailash-mansarovar-yatra/
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful travel experience! The Himalayan views, camping, bonfire and the hike to Surkanda Devi sound amazing. I especially loved the part about strangers leaving as friends. That’s the real magic of travelling! ❤️🏔️
ReplyDeleteWow, what an experience! Camping in the Himalayas, trekking, bonfires and waking up to those beautiful views sounds like the perfect getaway. Definitely adding Kanatal to my bucket list! 😍
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful travel story! ❤️ I loved how you captured not just the breathtaking beauty of Kanatal, but also the feeling of being away from everyday life and reconnecting with nature. The mountains, camping, bonfire, trekking and peaceful mornings sound like such an unforgettable experience. And the fact that a group of strangers can come together and leave with wonderful memories and friendships makes the journey even more special. Definitely adding Kanatal to my travel bucket list! 🏔️✨
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely travel story! ❤️ Kanatal looks absolutely beautiful, and I really enjoyed reading about the camping, trekking, bonfire, and peaceful mountain views. The part about meeting new people and making memories together felt especially nice. Definitely makes me want to visit Kanatal someday! 🏔️✨
ReplyDelete❤️ Kanatal looks absolutely beautiful, and the whole mix of camping, trekking, bonfires, and mountain views sounds amazing. I especially loved the part about meeting new people and making such great memories together. Now I really want to visit Kanatal too! 🏔️✨
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading this travel experience. The way the journey to Kanatal is described makes the place feel much more real than a typical travel guide. I especially liked the part about travelling with a group of strangers and slowly becoming friends through the trip. The combination of camping, the zipline, the hike to Surkanda Devi Temple and the bonfire sounds like a memorable experience. It also reminded me that sometimes the best part of travelling is not just the destination but the people and unexpected moments along the way. This definitely makes me want to explore more of the quieter hill destinations in India.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this! Kanatal sounds like such a peaceful place for a short escape, especially with the mountains, camping and fresh air. The hike to Surkanda Devi and the night around the bonfire sounded like the kind of travel memories that stay with you. I also liked the part about starting the trip with strangers and coming back as friends. It shows how travelling can bring people together in unexpected ways. Definitely adding Kanatal to my list of places to explore someday.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a lovely travel story to read. Kanatal seems to have that rare combination of peaceful mountain views, adventure and simple moments that make a trip truly memorable. I especially enjoyed the way the experience of camping and meeting new people is described. Sometimes travelling with strangers turns into the best part of the journey because you come back with stories you never expected to make. The Surkanda Devi hike, bonfire and mountain atmosphere sound absolutely beautiful. This post has definitely made Kanatal feel like a place worth experiencing rather than just visiting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to describe a mountain trip! I could almost imagine the cold air, the quiet surroundings and sitting around a bonfire after a day of exploring. I really liked how the post focuses not only on the destination but also on the people and little moments that make travelling special. Kanatal looks like the kind of place where you can slow down and enjoy the journey without rushing from one attraction to another. The Surkanda Devi trek sounds like a wonderful addition to the experience. Definitely an inspiring travel story.
ReplyDeleteLoved this travel story! There is something special about discovering a mountain destination through someone's actual experience rather than just reading a list of places to visit. The camping, adventure activities, temple hike and evening bonfire all sound like such a memorable combination. I also liked the part about travelling with people who were strangers at the beginning of the trip. Those unexpected friendships are often what make a journey unforgettable. Kanatal has definitely caught my attention after reading this.
ReplyDeleteThis post really captures the feeling of travelling to the mountains. It isn't just about seeing a beautiful destination, but about enjoying the journey, meeting people, trying something adventurous and creating memories along the way. The camping experience and Surkanda Devi hike sound especially interesting. I also loved the idea of ending the day around a bonfire after exploring the hills. Reading this made me want to plan a trip somewhere quiet and away from the usual tourist crowds. A very enjoyable travel experience to read.
ReplyDelete